15.8 mile counter clockwise loop for today's outing. Started and ended from the Bear Gulch visitors center (Bear Creek Picnic area on the map). I did a similar loop clockwise a few years back.

It was damn cold in the Chaolone Creek watershed. Bottoming out at 24 degrees before I drove uphill to the parking area where it was 27 degrees. Put on gloves and a hat for the early portion of the hike.

First one in the parking lot this morning (the ranger would pull up just as I was hitting the trail) The lot would be packed when I returned.

Over a short bridge from the parking lot to the start of the Condor Gulch trail. Decided to take the route over the ridge rather than the low rode via Chalone Creek as I was cold and wanted to get into the sunlight as soon as possible.

Sunlight creeping down into Condor Gulch and the High Peaks.

In wetter months, there is a small waterfall at this point. Bone dry today tho.

Continuing up the trail (got a bit of shadow in this shot). Would lose the gloves and hat by the time I gained the ridge, and the coat came off a bit later in the day. (Was almost 60 degrees when I got back to the trailhead)

Looking across at North Chalone Peak. The lookout tower on the peak was faintly visible (barely visible in the full side pic). The Chalone Peaks were not on my itinerary for today.

Looking back down at the visitor's center. (Pic is a bit washed out, the sun was directly above the shot)